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Impact of Daylight on Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction

Not Applicable
Terminated
Conditions
Coronary Arteriosclerosis
Myocardial Infarction
Interventions
Other: Day Light
Other: Room Light
Registration Number
NCT02490397
Lead Sponsor
University of Colorado, Denver
Brief Summary

The study tests if intense light could be a potential therapy in humans after myocardial infarction by inducing Per2.

Detailed Description

Damage to the heart caused by a myocardial infarction (heart attack) occurs most often during the early morning hours (6AM). Thus, the involvement of the circadian system (circa= approximately day) has been suggested. The circadian system in humans or animals is based on the rotation of the earth with day and night phases. When humans (or animals) wake up light shines in their eyes and the body receives a signal that the day starts. For the human body it means that certain proteins (named clock, period etc) are produced. The protein that determines the length of a day (awake and sleep period) is called Period 2 (Per2). Recent data indicated that the Per2 protein in hearts from mice is induced after daylight exposure (daylight with an intensity comparable to a bright day at the beach was used, approx. 10 000 LUX). This more Per2 was able to protect the heart from being damaged by no blood going to the heart (protection from a heart attack). This protection was based on a more efficient use of sugars (carbohydrates). Thereby the heart needs less oxygen. Current data indicate that human Per2 is also induced by light exposure and can be detected in human plasma samples.

In this study Per2 transcript and protein levels will be analyzed in patients that just experienced a heart attack with and without intense light (daylight) therapy utilizing blood samples (erythrocytes and leukocytes).

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
TERMINATED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
6
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients with an acute myocardial infarction
  • Healthy volunteers
  • Must speak and understand English
Exclusion Criteria
  • Patients with an acute myocardial infarction but are too sick, e.g. severe symptoms, chest pain, generally unstable, etc.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Exposed to Day lightDay LightPatients with myocardial infarction (MI): This group will be enrolled on the day of their MI. A blood draw will be performed before any light therapy. The patients will then receive a light box (Square One Wake Up Light NatureBright 10,000 LUX) that they shall use every morning from 8.30-9.00 AM for the next 2 weeks. At the conclusion of the two weeks another blood sample will be drawn.
Exposed to Room lightRoom LightPatients with myocardial infarction (MI): This group will be enrolled on the day of their MI and will only be exposed to room light. They will have blood drawn on the day of enrollment and then at 2 weeks after the MI.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change of Period 2 (Per2) protein levels2 weeks

Measure of Per2 protein levels related to daylight exposure vs. room light exposure after 2 weeks.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus

🇺🇸

Denver, Colorado, United States

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